AMI Foundation 2014 Animal Care & Handling Conference October 17, 2014 Michelle Calvo-Lorenzo, PhD Oklahoma State University Department of Animal Science
Current welfare concerns in the beef industry: Weather extremes (Heat/Cold Stress) Pain associated with standard husbandry practices Negative handling Transitional effects Slaughter and euthanasia Technology use
Current welfare concerns in the beef industry: Weather extremes (Heat/Cold Stress) Pain associated with standard husbandry practices Negative handling Transitional effects Slaughter and euthanasia Technology use
Early August 2013 concerns & questions surfaced regarding the feeding of technologies National Cattlemen s Beef Association (NCBA) meeting Zilmax (zilpaterol hydrochloride; Merck Animal Health) Beta-adrenergic agonist ( Beta agonist ; BAA) Feed additive for finishing cattle: Improve feed efficiency Increase lean muscle mass
Early August 2013 concerns & questions surfaced regarding the feeding of technologies National Cattlemen s Beef Association (NCBA) meeting Multiple packers and animal welfare experts expressed concerns related to Poor mobility of cattle moving through packing plants Possible lameness issues Animals appear stressed, lethargic, tender-footed, stiff, and not wanting to move
Mobility of cattle arriving at packing plants
Tool: Animal-based measures The trait of interest is directly observed by the evaluator when viewing animals Typically this is accomplished using a scoring system Severity scale: Normal severe condition of that trait Scale requires the evaluator to assign a score (number) to the trait observed In the BAA case, its mobility (pattern of locomotion) Many animal-based measures are used today to evaluate/audit the condition of animals, facilities, handling, management, etc.
For the goals of assessing potential welfare effects of BAA Measuring cattle mobility has become widely accepted But no such tool existed last year What is mobility? Gait or motion of cattle The pattern of movement of the limbs of cattle during locomotion
Cattle locomotion scoring has recently been developed for detecting lameness in cattle (2013) Systematic approach: identify & manage cattle lameness Lameness is an important issue in beef cattle and an animal welfare concern Designed specifically for beef cattle Helps beef operations the prevalence of lameness Visual evaluation system helps identify, diagnose, and treat lameness Goal: Lameness and lesion identification for prevention, management, and treatment protocols
Step-Up Management Program Normal Mild lameness Moderate lameness Severe lameness
LAMENESS SCORING Gait Head bob Stride length MOBILITY SCORING Stride length Obvious stiffness Difficulty taking steps Discomfort & limping Keep up with herd Response to handlers
1 Normal. Walks easily with no apparent lameness or change in gait 2 Keeps up with normal cattle when the group is walking; will exhibit 1 or more of the following: stiffness, shortness of stride, or slight limp 3 Lags behind normal cattle when the group is walking; will exhibit 1 or more of the following: obvious stiffness, difficulty taking steps, obvious limp, or exhibiting obvious discomfort 4 Extremely reluctant to move even when encouraged by a handler
Mobility Scoring as it relates to Zilmax welfare concerns Currently used to score groups of cattle Feedyards and packer Arrival to facilities / unloading When cattle are weighed, moved, loaded Currently used to score individual cattle Controlled scientific studies Cattle individually treated, weighed, etc. Can score cattle live or record with cameras
B. C. Bernhard 1, C. L. Maxwell 1, B. P. Holland 2, C. R. Krehbiel 1, C. J Richards 1 and M. S. Calvo-Lorenzo 1 1 Oklahoma State University, Stillwater; 2 Merck Animal Health, De Soto, KS 3 treatments (n=8 pens/trt): (1) Natural (NAT) (2) Conventional (CONV) (3) CONV + ZH (CONV-Z)
1 Normal Long, fluid stride; Even rhythm and weight bearing on all four feet 2 Slightly hesitant and stiff (shuffling); Moves with group 3 4 Obviously stiff and sore-footed; Reluctant to move; Cannot keep up with the herd Extremely reluctant to move; Animal will refuse to move even when encouraged by a handler; Any steps are short and very unsteady https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37xyudidbci&feature=youtu.be
Beef Cattle Mobility Study at OSU (2013) Loading (OSU Feedyard) Observer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8wceppvbvk Unloading (Packing Plant) Observer
1.2 NAT CONV CONV-Z P = 0.93 SEM= 0.02 1.15 Mobility Score 1.1 1.05 1
35 30 NAT CONV CONV-Z P = 0.61 25 % 20 15 10 P = 0.14 P = 0.03 5 P = 0.99 0 3s + 4s @ Loading 3s + 4s @ Unloading Cattle Missed @ Loading Cattle Missed @ Unloading
The industry is coming together to address concerns related to welfare and technology use - Technology industries - Veterinarians - Producers - Scientists - Packers - Beef Industry Sustainability is a important theme in livestock production Demand for food that is abundant, nutritious, and affordable minimized environmental impact / natural resources humane animal treatment
Michelle S. Calvo-Lorenzo, PhD Oklahoma State University Department of Animal Science michelle.calvo_lorenzo@okstate.edu (405) 744-8852